Partnerships & Commercial Manager

About The Role

The Partnerships & Commercial Manager is responsible for leading the Biennale of Sydney's corporate partnerships and commercial revenue program.

The role manages a portfolio of corporate partnerships valued at more than $3 million while driving significant new business growth through major cash sponsorships. Alongside partnerships, the role leads the organisation's commercial activities including venue hire, festival food and beverage operations, merchandise, markets and other earned income initiatives.

Working across the organisation, the Partnerships & Commercial Manager develops commercial opportunities that strengthen the financial sustainability of the Biennale while ensuring partners, clients and visitors receive an exceptional experience.

This is a highly strategic, creative and hands-on role requiring strong commercial acumen, exceptional relationship management skills and the ability to develop and deliver compelling partnerships from concept and negotiation through to campaign and activation.

During the Biennale exhibition period, the role plays a key leadership position in delivering partner activations and commercial operations, including regular evening and weekend work.

This is a rare opportunity to make a direct impact on one of Australia’s most prestigious contemporary art events, helping to shape its financial future while ensuring the best visitor experience.

Selection Criteria - Essential

• Minimum five years' experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship, commercial business development or a related field
• Demonstrated success securing and negotiating corporate partnerships valued at $100,000+
• Experience developing and delivering creative partnership campaigns, activations and major events, working collaboratively with marketing, communications and creative teams
• Strong commercial acumen with experience developing earned income initiatives such as venue hire, food & beverage and merchandise
• Experience managing significant revenue portfolios with accountability for ambitious financial targets.
• Exceptional relationship management and negotiation skills
• Strong financial management, budgeting and forecasting capability
• Excellent written communication and proposal development skills

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in major festivals, arts organisations or cultural institutions
• Experience working with government managed venues/partners
• Experience managing venue hire, hospitality or visitor commercial operations.
• Experience leading small teams and cross-functional project delivery
• Experience using CRM systems, ideally Tessitura
• A keen interest in, and commitment to, the work of Biennale of Sydney and knowledge and understanding of the arts markets
• Good knowledge of the Biennale of Sydney and its various activities

About The Biennale

The Biennale of Sydney acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country, in particular the Gadigal people on whose land the Biennale of Sydney is located. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respect to Elders, past, present and emerging.

The Biennale of Sydney is one of the leading international contemporary art events. It plays an indispensable role in Australia’s engagement with the world, and a meaningful role in the life of the nation. The Biennale presents the most dynamic contemporary art from around the globe in venues across Sydney with exhibitions that ignite and surprise people, sparking dialogue, cultivating connections and inspiring action through meaningful, shared arts experiences. The Biennale of Sydney amplifies the voices of artists and tell the stories of our global communities, as they drive momentum for lasting cultural change.

Established in 1973, it is the third oldest biennial in the world after Venice and São Paulo and the largest exhibition of its kind in Australia. The Biennale of Sydney has commissioned and presented exceptional works of art by more than 1,900 national and international artists from more than 100 countries.

Benefits at the Biennale of Sydney

Alongside meaningful work, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, professional growth and work-life balance, such as:

• End-of-year paid office closure. Take a well-earned break over the festive period without using your annual leave.
• Hybrid working that actually works. When not in festival delivery phase, two company-wide office days (Tuesday and Thursday), one team day agreed with your manager, and the rest of the week you can work from wherever you're most productive, except during the festival delivery phase, where you may be required to work your contracted hours on-site on weekends and evenings.
• Meaningful work. Help create free, world-class contemporary art experiences that inspire hundreds of thousands of visitors.
• An incredible international network. Build relationships with leading artists, curators, cultural organisations and creative partners from around the world.
• Professional development. We invest in your growth through learning opportunities, mentoring, industry events and staff development initiatives.
• Access to art and culture. Enjoy complimentary tickets to Biennale events and exclusive opportunities through our network of cultural partners.
• Salary packaging. Maximise your take-home pay through not-for-profit salary packaging.
• A genuinely supportive team. Join a collaborative workplace where your ideas are valued and you'll be supported to do your best work.
• Be part of something extraordinary. Join the team behind one of the world's leading contemporary art events.

Visit our website for more information: https://www.biennaleofsydney.art/team/#join-the-team

Applying for the role

Applications must address the selection criteria be received by 5:00pm on Monday 30 November 2026.

Your application must include:a cover letter outlining how you meet the selection criteria;

• a current CV; and
• the names and daytime contacts of at least two (2) professional referees.

Email to: employment@biennaleofsydney.com.au

Subject line: Application | Partnerships & Commercial Manager